Indigenous counselling
Indigenous counselling offers a safe and caring place that honours Indigenous knowledge, experience and healing. The Indigenous Counsellor treats mental health and life issues from Indigenous perspectives to relate to the diverse cultural backgrounds of Indigenous students. Treatment may also address the long-lasting intergenerational effects of historical wrongdoings against Indigenous peoples.
We provide both individual and group counselling and discussions that treat the heart, body, mind and spirit.
Indigenous counselling sessions are flexible in length. Students may access services for emergency appointments and in general, students may meet with the Indigenous Counsellor without having to wait too long.
Although the Indigenous Counsellor meets only with Indigenous students, you also have the option of meeting with a non-Indigenous counsellor, or you may choose instead to meet with an Elder in Residence for help and guidance.
Meet the counsellors
Indigenous Counsellor Student Wellness Centre
- Area(s) of expertise:
- Students
Indigenous Counsellor Student Wellness Centre
- Area(s) of expertise:
- Students
Supports and resources
SupportConnect
SupportConnect is a free, confidential mental-health support service for UVic students. You can connect with qualified counsellors, consultants and life coaches by phone or online 24/7. Video or in-person options are available.
Toll-free (calls from North America): 1-844-773-1427
International collect calls: 1-250-999-7621
UVic Counselling Services
Located in the new Student Wellness Centre at 2300 McKenzie Ave., across the street from the CARSA gym. Counselling sessions for UVic students can be booked by calling 250-721-8563. Indigenous counsellors are available.
Indian Residential School Survivors Society Crisis Line
24-hour crisis line for survivors and family of survivors. Toll-Free: 1-866-925-4419
First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) Mental Health Benefits
FNHA partners with Indigenous Services Canada to offer a comprehensive mental-health plan to First Nations in BC. The plan covers counselling services from qualified mental-health providers, including psychologists, clinical counsellors and social workers.
Here2Talk
Connects students to mental-health support when they need it. Through this program, all students currently registered in a BC post-secondary institution have access to free, confidential counselling and community-referral services, conveniently available 24/7 via app, phone and web.
The Vancouver Island Crisis Line
24-hour crisis line service to Vancouver Island, the islands of the Georgia Strait, and the mainland communities between Powell River and Rivers Inlet, as defined by Island Health. It operates 365 days a year. Crisis workers provide short-term, non-judgmental emotional, support, crisis intervention, information and resources. Toll-free: 1-888-494-3888
KUU-US Crisis Line Society
The KUU-US Crisis Line Society operates a 24-hour provincial Aboriginal crisis line for adults/Elders and youth.
Adults/Elders: 250-723-4050
Children/Youth: 250-723-2040
Toll-free Line: 1-800-588-8717
Booking
To book an appointment, please call the Student Wellness Centre at 250-721-8563, extension 1.
* Please indicate that you are an Indigenous student.